ft  VY1  - 

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ilRM 


1883. 


R JUBILEE  SERMON 


PREACHED  IN 


THE  BETHEL.  HONOLULU.  DEC.  2D,  1883. 


SAMUEL  G.  LD -A_  IMI O LT  , 


CHAPLAIN. 


iaaa 


10B3 


BETHEL  JUBILEE 

Sabbath  Morning., 

DECEMBER  2d,  1BB3, 


Ths  Bethsl  ChapEl  Dedicated,  November  ZB, 
1833. 

□ RDER  DE  SERVICE, 

ANTHEM,  "Waka  tha  Song  of  Jubilee."  Choir. 

Christ  reigning  oi’er  all  the  Earth. 

1 Wake  the  sung  of  jubilee  ; 

Let  it  echo  o’er  the  sea  ; 

Now  is  come  the  promised  hour  : 

Jesus  reigns  with  glorious  power. 

2 All  ye  nations,  join  anil  sing, 

Praise  your  Saviour,  praise  your  King  ; 

Let  it  sound  from  shore  to  shore, 

“Jesus  reigns  for  evermore?” 

3 Hark,  the  desert  lands  rejoice; 

And  the  islands  join  their  voice  : 

Joy  ! the  whole  creation  sings, 

“Jesus  is  the  King  of  Kings!” 

INVOCATION, Rev.  Lowell  Smith,  E.E, 

REARING  THE  SCRIPTURES, 

Rev,  C,  M.  Hyde,  D.U, 

PRAYER Rev,  S.  E,  Bishop. 

□ R1G1NAL  HYMN,  by  Mrs.  B,  F,  Dillingham, 

CHOIR  AND  CONGREDATIDN. 

Great  God,  a hymn  ol  jubilee 
With  joyful  hearts,  we  raise  to  Thee; 

Thy  goodness  through  these  circling  years, 

To  us  this  day  supreme  appears. 


We  i hank  'Dice  that  this  lion  j of  prayer 
Has  been  long  years  Thy  constant  care  ; 
That  praise  and  service  offered  here. 

Have  ever  found  Thy  listening  ear. 

Within  these  walls  what  bitter  grief 
Has  ofttimes  found  a sweet  relief; 

What  lessons  learned  of  patience,  trust 
And  hope  revived  ere  hearts  were  crushed. 

The  little  child,  the  hoary  head, 

With  youth  and  manhood’s  firmer  tread, 
Have  here  received  such  sacred  rites 
As  life  or  death  for  each  invites. 

To  God  the  Father,  Spirit,  Son, 

Be  praise  and  highest  honors  won 
Within  this  sacred  house,  till  we 
In  heaven  take  up  the  jubilee. 


SERMGN, Rev.  Samuel  C,  Darncm,  B.D, 

HYMN, •• "Harkthe  Sang  at  Jubilee, " 


CHOIR  AND  CONGREGATION, 

“ The  Songom  Jubilee.'' 

1.  Hark,  the  song  of  jubilee, 

Loud  as  mighty  thunders  roar. 

Or  the  fulness  of  the  sea, 

When  it  breaks  upon  the  shore: 

Hallelujah ! for  the  Lord 
God  Omnipotent  shall  reign; 

Hallelujah  ! let  the  word 

Echo  round  the  earth  and  main. 

2.  Hallelujah  ! hark,  the  sound. 

From  the  centre  to  the  skies, 

Wakes  above,  beneath,  around, 

All  creation’s  harmonies. 

See  Jehovah’s  banners  furled. 

Sheathed  His  sword;  He  speaks  ’tis  done, 

And  the  kingdoms  of  this  world 
Are  the  Kingdoms  of  His  Son. 

3.  He  shall  reign  from  pole  to  pole 

With  illimitable  sway; 

He  shall  reign,  when  like  a scroll 
Yonder  heavens  have  passed  away; 

Then  the  end;  beneath  His  rod 
Man’s  last  enemy  shall  fall: 

Hallelujah  ! Christ  in  God,' 

God  in  Christ,  is  All  in  all. 

BENED1CTIUN Rev,  E,  Baldwin,  iVLE, 


THE  SERMON. 


Leviticus  \\v:ii — “ A jubilee  shall  that  lifiieth  yeai^be  unto  you.” 

On  the  28th  of  November,  a.d.,  1833,  this  chapel  was  dedicated 
to  the  worship  of  ( lod.  Fifty  years  -a  half  century — has  since 
elapsed  and  this  chapel  still  remains  true  to  the  object  for  which  it 
was  solemnly  dedicated.  It  seems  highly  becoming  that  the 
fiftieth  anniversary— the  Jubilee — should  not  be  allowed  to  pass 
without  a suitable  recognition  and  a most  grateful  expression  of 
thanksgiving  to  the  great  Head  of  the  Church,  for  his  watchful 
providence  during  these  fifty  years  now  closed. 

Before  making  some  rejnarks  upon  the  history  of  the  preaching 
of  the  gospel  in  this  chapel,  I would  state  that  this  is  the  first 
church  building  ever  erected  on  the  Hawaiian  Islands  or  any 
island  of  Polynesia,  or  on  the  western  coast  of  either  North  or 
South  America,  for  the  worship  of  God  in  the  English  language. 
I would  also  state  that  no  church  building  now  standing  on  these 
islands  was  built  prior  to  the  erection  of  this  chapel,  hence  it  is  a 
building  of  no  little  historic  interest.  At  the  date  of  its  dedication 
the  American  missionaries  had  been  laboring  on  the  islands  during 
a period  of  thirteen  years,  or  from  1820  to  1833.  During  that 
period  the  gospel  had  been  more  or  less  preached  by  them  in  the 
English  language.  The  first  sermon  preached  in  Honolulu  was 
by  the  Rev.  H.  Bingham,  April  23rd,  1820,  the  missionaries  have 
ing  landed  April  19th,  the  previous  week.  Mr.  Bingham’s  text 
was  from  Luke  2,  10 — “ Fear  not  for  behold  I bring  you  good 
tidings  of  great  joy  which  shall  be  to  all  people.”  The  singing  on 
the  occasion  was  aided  by  G.  P.  Tainoree,  a Hawaiian  vouth  who 
had  been  educated  at  the  Mission  School  in  Cornwall,  Ct-,  where  he 
had  been  taught  to  play  upon  a bass  viol.  During  the  following 
years  regular  preaching  was  sustained  by  the  missionaries,  to  which 
the  mission  families,  foreign  residents  and  seamen  were  invited. 
The  same  year  (1820)  the  missionaries  arrived  w’naleships  began 


to  result  to  this  port  for  supplies  and  the  number  of  seamen 
greatly  increased.  As  the  Rev.  Hiram  Bingham  was  pastor  of  the 
native  church  and  stationed  in  Honolulu,  most  frequently  he 
preached  in  English,  although  others  were  often  occupants  of  the 
pulpit.  Thus  continued  the  preaching  of  the  gospel  until  an 
application  was  made  to  the  American  Seamen’s  Friend  Society  to 
establish  a chaplaincy  in  Honolulu.  This  was  initiated  by  the  ap- 
pointment of  the  Rey.  S.  Whitney  to  correspond  with  that  society.  On 
the  10th  of  February,  1830,  Mr.  Whitney  wrote  to  the  Rev.  C.  P. 
Mcllvaine,  corresponding  secretary  (subsequently  Bishop  of  Ohio) 
and  from  his  communication  I copy  as  follows:  “ At  a late  meet- 
ing of  the  Mission  I was  appointed  to  write  to  you  and  call  your 
attention  to  the  subject  of  sending  hither  a missionary  to  labor 
among  that  interesting  class  of  men  whose  wants  have  excited  your 
sympathies  and  called  forth  your  truly  benevolent  exertions.  In 
all  the  countries  to  which  our  seamen  resort,  perhaps  there  is  not 
a place  to  be  found  where  the  labors  of  your  society  are  so  much 
needed  as  at  this  port.  There  are  two  hundred  English  and 
Americans  who  reside  on  the  island.  From  one  hundred  to  one 
hundred  and  fifty  ships  touch  here  most  of  them  semi-annually.” 
This  appeal  met  with  a favorable  reception  and  the  officers  of  the 
society  immediately  commenced  laying  their  plans  for  a perma- 
nent chaplaincy  in  Honolulu.  There  were  many  difficulties  to  be 
encountered.  Honolulu  in  those  days  was  18,000  miles  distant 
from  New  York.  The  resources  of  the  newly  organized  socieiy 
were  very  limited. 

During  the  year  1832  the  American  Seamen’s  Friend  Socieiy 
established  three  foreign  chaplaincies,  one  in  Havre,  France,  the 
second  in  Capton,  China,  and  the  third  in  Honolulu.  This  alone 
remains  as  a station  of  the  society  at  the  end  of  half  a century, 
l'he  first  chaplain  to  receive  appointment  for  Honolulu  was  the 
Rev.  John  Diell.  From  the  annual  report  of  the  society  for  1S33, 
I learn  that  the  chaplain  and  his  wife  sailed  from  New  London, 
Connecticut,  on  the  20th  of  November,  1832,  on  board  the  whale 
ship  Mentor,  Captain  Rice,  accompanied  by  the  Rev.  Lowel 
Smith  and  the  Rev.  B.  W.  Parker,  with  their  wives,  who  came  out 
under  the  American  Board  to  join  the  mission  among  Hawaiians. 
After  a long  passage  around  Cape  Horn  all  arrived  safely  on  the 
nth  of  May,  1S33.  I should  have  stated  that  the  friends  of  sea- 


7 


men  in  Norwich  and  New  London  subscribed  liberally  to  send  out 
die  materials  for  the  chapel  in  which  we  are  now  assembled. 
Among  those  friends  were  the  Hon.  Thomas  W.  Williams,  of  New 
London,  and  General  William  Williams,  of  Norwich.  These 
gentlemen,  until  the  close  of  their  useful  lives,  remained  staunch 
friends  of  this  chaplaincy.  Some  delay  attended  the  selection  and 
securing  a suitable  site  for  the  proposed  chapel,  but  through  the 
kind  offices  of  Dr.  Judd  and  others  this  was  obtained.  Remarks 
the  Rev.  Mi.  Bingham  in  his  history  of  the  islands  : “ Kinau,  the 
1’remier,  showed  her  public  spirit  and  the  king  his  liberality  and 
both  their  approval  of  the  object,  by  granting  the  society  a site  for 
the  chapel  in  a favorable  location,  and  also  a pleasant  place  for  the 
chaplain’s  residence  in  the  northern  part  of  the  village.”  Here  I 
take  occasion  to  speak  of  the  continued  kindness  which  has  been 
manifested  by  the  successors  of  Kamehamcha  III.,  two  of  whom 
were  sons  of  Kinau,  and  their  successors,  Lunalilo  and  His 
Majesty  now  present  have  worshipped  here,  and  in  their  youth, 
while  members  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cooke’s  school,  were  attached  to 
the  Bethel  Sabbath  School. 

The  foundation  was  laid  on  the  29th  of  July  and  the  present 
edifice  was  erected  on  the  22nd  of  August  without  the  customary 
accompaniment  of  “strong  drink,”  which  was  considered  in  those 
days  as  absolutely  necessary  when  a new  building  was  erected. 
This  was  the  more  remarkable  inasmuch  as  the  Bethel  was  literally 
surrounded  by  saloons.  Tradition  reports  that  during  those  early 
years  the  sound  of  the  chaplain’s  voice  was  often  interrupted  by 
the  noise  and  revelry  emanating  from  those  places  of  resort.  The 
work  upon  the  building  was  carried  successfully  forward  under  the 
superintendence  of  Mr.  Charles  Burnham,  a young  man  who  came 
out  for  this  purpose  and  who  subsequently  was  employed  by  the 
American  missionaries  in  similar  undertakings.  His  visit  to  the 
islands  in  1880  will  be  remembered.  He  now  resides  in  Phila- 
delphia a prosperous  merchant. 

The  dedication  of  this  chapel,  to  the  worship  of  God,  took  * 
place  on  the  28th  of  the  following  November — the  day  we  now 
commemorate.  The  sermon  wras  preached  by  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Diell,  who  selected  for  his  text.  Luke  X : 29th  : “And  who  is  my 
neighbor?”  Five  days  after  the  dedication,  Mr.  Diell  Wrote  a 
letter,  published  in  the  New  York  Sailors’  Magazine,  from  which 


8 


I quote  as  follows : “The  members  of  the  Mission  families  and 
several  of  the  residents,  under  the  direction  of  l)r.  Judd,  kindly 
assisted  in  singing  several  pieces,  which  gave  much  interest  to  the 
occasion.  The  king,  Kinau,  and  the  principal  chiefs  were  pres- 
ent, together  with  a respectable  number  of  residents,  masters  of 
vessels,  and  seamen.  The  school,  under  the  charge  and  instruc- 
tion of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnstone,  and  which  embraces  about  40 
children  of  the  residents,  occupied  seats  on  the  right  of  the  desk. 
The  king,  with  Kinau  and  her  sister,  occupied  a sofa  in  front  of 
the  desk,  furnished  for  the  occasion  by  Capt.  Hinckley,  to  whom 
we  feel  ourselves  under  many  obligations  for  the  kind  assistance 
he  has  frequently  rendered.  As  a part  of  the  exercises,  I read  the 
instructions  delivered  to  me  by  the  executive  committee  just  be- 
fore our  embarkation  at  New  London.  I trust  that  the  unfurling 
of  the  Bethel  flag  on  that  day  will  become  a long  and  lasting 
blessing,  not  only  to  the  multitude  of  seamen  who  stop  here,  but 
to  those  who  permanently  reside  in  this  place.” 

Among  the  comparatively  few  foreign  residents  and  seamen, 
most  generous  contributions  were  made  towards  furnishing  the 
chapel  and  the  purchase  of  a bell.  Among  those  contributing  for 
the  latter  object,  I note  the  names  of  His  Majesty  Kamehameha 
III.,  Gov.  Adams,  P.  A.  Brinsmade,  J.  O.  Carter,  H.  A:  Peirce 
and  others  whose  names  are  so  familiar  in  the  subsequent  history 
of  Honolulu.  Fifty  years — a half  century — have  since  passed 
away,  and  most  of  those  then  living  in  Honolulu  have  passed  on- 
ward to  the  unseen  world,  but  the  same  bell  still  continues  to 
sound  its  Sabbath  morning’s  peal,  and  the  Bethel  flag  has  not 
since  ceased  to  be  unfurled.  Scarcely  a Sabbath  has  come  around 
when  public  services  have  been  omitted.  (Probably  this  chapel 
has  been  closed  during  the  half  century  as  few  Sabbaths 
as  any  other  house  of  public  worship  on  our  globe.) 

From  such  enquiries  as  I have  made,  Mrs.  Joseph  Carter  is  the 
only  person  now  living  in  Honolulu  who  was  present  on  the  day 
of  dedication.  Only  four  days  previously — on  the  24th  of  Nov- 
ember— she  was  united  in  marriage  with  Captain  Joseph  O. 
Carter,  by  the  Rev.  John  Diell.  Outside  the  Missionary  circle, 
this  was  the  first  marriage  between  two  foreigners  that  was  ever 
solemnized  so  far  as  1 am  able  to  learn. 

The  Rev.  John  Diell  officiated  as  chaplain,  from  his  arrival 


9 


until  December,  1S40,  when  he  embarked  with  Iris  family,  in  con- 
sequence of  his  protracted  ill  health,  and  died  at  sea,  January  18, 
1841.  During  his  long  continued  sickness  and  decline,  he  made  , 
a voyage  around  the  globe,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Tinker  officiating  as 
chaplain  during  his  absence,  to  the  great  acceptance  of  the  foreign 
community.  From  all  I have  been  able  to  learn  respecting  Mr. 
Diell's  labors,  he  was  a most  excellent  chaplain  and  faithful  gospel 
minister.  He  was  abundant  in  labor  for  both  seamen  and  the 
foreign  community.  As  the  pioneer  chaplain,  his  memory  de- 
serves to  be  kept  in  continual  remembrance.  A monument  to 
his  memory  was  erected  in  Nuuanu  Cemetery  by  the  order  of  his 
widow  in  1052.  She  still  survives,  enjoying  years  of  happiness 
among  her  children  and  grandchildren,  and  a wide  circle  of 
friends  in  the  States  of  New  York  and  Virginia.  Only  a few  days 
since  I received  a letter  from  her,  written  in  her  usual  cheery  and 
hopeful  tone,  at  the  age  of  76.  She  was  expecting  to  spend  the 
winter  in  Hamilton,  New  York,  where  resides  her  youngest 
daughter,  married  to  Rev.  P.  M.  Spear,  D.D.,  Professor  of  Greek 
and  Hebrew  in  Madison  University.  Her  other  three  daughters 
have  all  been  well  married.  These  four  daughters  were  born  in 
Honolulu.  One  of  her  grandsons  graduated  from  a college  in 
Virginia,  and  is  now  a professor  in  a western  college,  and  two 
other  grandsons  are  preparing  for  college.  It  affords  me  great 
satisfaction  to  be  able  thus  to  refer  to  a family,  so  intimately  con- 
nected with  this  chaplaincy  fifty  years  ago.  God’s  promises  to  the 
widow  and  fatherless  have  been  fulfilled  : “The  Lord  preserveth 

the  stranger ; he  relieveth  the  fatherless  and  widow.”  Psalms  146:9. 

It  was  my  privilege  to  succeed  to  the  pastorship  of  this  church 
and  this  chaplaincy,  the  pioneer  chaplaincy  in  this  part  of  the 
world.  Being  under  appointment  to  proceed  to  India,  as  a mis- 
sionary of  the  American  Board,  I was  released  to  become  the 
chaplain  in  Honolulu.  The  two  objects  were  regarded  as  essen- 
tially the  same  in  their  ultimate  results,  although  different  in  their 
mode  of  operations.  As  years  have  rolled  away,  while  I have 
aimed  to  keep  the  cause  of  seamen  and  the  foreign  element  in  this 
community  most  prominently  in  view,  yet  I do  not  admit  that  I 
have  lost  sight  of  the  one  grand  object  with  which  I commenced 
my  ministry,  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel  among  the  unevangelised. 
Whenever  an  opportunity  has  been  offered,  I have  aimed  to  assist 


IO 


those  laboring  for  this  special  object,  while  both  in  my  preaching  and 
publications  the  evangelization  of  the  unevangelised  has  ever  been 
• the  controlling  principle  of  my  life.  It  isthe  object  which  brought 
the  Son  of  God  into  this  world,  and  it  should  be  the  uppermost  aim 
of  all  who  profess  to  be  the  disciples  and  followers  of  our  Lord 
and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.  The  evangelization  of  the  heathen 
world  I believe  to  be  the  grandest,  noblest  and  most  Christ-like 
object  which  can  occupy  the  thoughts,  the  attention,  and  the  time 
of  any  man  or  woman  in  whatever  age  they  may  live.  (Who  can 
even  imagine  the  deplorable  state  of  affairs  there  would  now 
have  been  upon  these  islands  had  no  missionaries  come  hither?) 
However  much  I may  have  fallen  short  of  my  ideal,  yet  it  was  with 
this  aim  in  view  that  I became  an  appointed  missionary  of  the 
American  Board,  that  I was  transferred  to  the  American  Seamen’s 
Friend  Society,  that  I was  ordained  as  an  evangelist,  in  my  native 
place,  September  16,  1841,  and  embarked  from  New  York  with  my 
wife  for  Honolulu,  on  the  10th  March,  1842  ; and  it  has  been 
by  keeping  this  aim  in  view  that  for  over  forty  years  I have  been 
preaching  the  gospel  from  this  pulpit  and  been  labouring  among 
seamen  and  foreign  residents  of  Honoiutu. 

It  was  on  the  7th  of  November,  1841,  in  Dr.  Spring’s  church, 
in  the  city  of  New  York  that  I received  my  instructions.  The 
Rev.  Dr.  Armstrong,  one  of  the  secretaries  of  the  American 
Board,  who  was  afterwards  lost  in  the  ill-fated  steamer  Atlantic 
in  Long  Island  Sound,  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Spaulding,  of  the  Sea- 
man’s Friend  Society,  were  the  speakers  on  that  occasion.  The 
addresses  of  both  these  gentlemen  made  it  plain  that  I was  about 
to  go  forth  as  a missionary  chaplain.  But  these  gentleman  made 
prominent  the  idea  that  the  success  of  Gospel  preaching  among 
the  heathen,  was  essentially  promoted  by  the  gathering  of  churches 
among  foreigners  and  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel  among  seamen. 
“ At  this  hour,”  remarked  Dr.  Armstrong,  “ the  most  formidable 
obstacle  to  the  entrance  of  the  Gospel  in  large  portions  of  the 
heathen  world,  grows  out  of  the  wrongs  inflicted  and  the  mis- 
chief wrought  by  ungodly  men  bearing  the  Christian  name.  Pass 
along  the  dark  shores  of  benighted  Africa  ; visit  the  countless 
islands  of  Oceanica  ; and  you  will  find  the  sad  illustrations  of  this 
remark.”  Dr.  Spaulding,  in  delivering  my  instructions,  thus  re- 
marked, “ The  particular  field  of  your  labors  will  be  the  port  of 
Honolulu  ; and  the  special  objects  of  your  solicitude,  prayers,  and 


efforts  will  be  the  sons  of  the  ocean.  There,  in  that  commercial 
and  central  position  between  the  coasts  of  Asia  and  America,  you 
are  to  stand  erect  as  a minister  of  Jesus  Christ.  With  the  foreign 
residents  you  will  be  expected  to  maintain  a kind  and  courteous 
intercourse  ; and  if  they  shall  be  disposed  to  attend  upon  your 
ministry  you  will  watch  for  their  souls  as  one  that  must  give  an 
account.  At  Honolulu  you  will  be  a citizen  still  of  the  land  that 
gave  you  birth,  and  entitled  to  its  civil  protection.  The  honor  of 
your  country,  therefore,  as  well  as  Christian  and  professional  con- 
siderations will  cause  you  to  abstain  from  all  interference  with  the 
local  and  political  interests  of  that  people.  Never  let  the  preacher 
of  Christ  become  the  partizan  ot  the  world.” 

I arrived  here  on  the  19th  of  October,  1842,  and  this  has  been 
my  home  and  the  field  of  my  ministerial  labors.  It  would  be  quite 
unnecessary  to  attempt  a minute  reference  to  the  history  of  this 
chaplaincy  during  the  past  forty-one  years.  I have  necessarily 
lived  in  open  view  of  my  fellowmen.  Coming  every  Sabbath 
into  this  pulpit,  mingling  during  the  week  among  both  residents 
and  the  transient  population,  publishing  every  month  a news- 
paper, conferring  with  the  officers  of  the  various  benevolent 
societies  and  school-boards,  and  in  social  life  meeting  my  neigh- 
bours, I feel  that  it  would  be  altogether  superfluous  to  enter  upon 
a detailed  narration  of  the  past,  yet  something  is  necessarily 
expected. 

In  glancing  over  the  fifty  Annual  Reports  which  have  been 
made  to  the  parent  society  in  New  York,  and  recalling  the  events 
connected  with  this  chaplaincy,  one  is  impressed  with  the  wisdom 
of  the  friends  of  seamen,  missions,  and  humanity  in  establishing 
chaplaincies  in  Sandwich  Islands,  Canton,  Sydney,  Valparaiso, 
San  Francisco,  and  other  ports  of  the  great  ocean.  The  com- 
merce of  the  world  demands  a great  number  of  sea-faring  men, 
whose  temporal  and  spiritual  welfare  requires  more  than  can  be 
supplied  by  the  consuls  or  resident  clergymen  of  the  various 
nationalities  to  which  the  seamen  owe  allegiance.  The  numbers 
resorting  to  Honolulu  have  been  much  greater  than  perhaps 
many  would  suppose.  During  the  years  intervening  betwen  1842 
and  1867,  at  the  lowest  estimate  6000  annually  entered  this  port, 
and  some  years  many  more.  Take  the  year  1855  as  an  illustration 
of  the  state  of  affairs.  The  Rev.  S.  E.  Bishop  reports  from  3,000 
to  4,000  visiting  Lahaina  ; the  Rev.  Mr.  Coan  reports  nearly  the 


same  number  as  visiting  Hilo,  while  at  Honolulu  we  were  visited 
by  142  whale  ships.  I recollect  one  morning  over  thirty  rounded 
Diamond  Head.  16  vessels  of  war,  besides  all  the  merchant 
vessels,  and  there  could  not  have  been  less  than  10,000  seamen 
during  the  year  in  the  port  of  Honolulu. 

It  was  during  these  years  that  the  Home  was  built,  costing 
when  the  debt  was  fully  paid  $1 7,640.  To  meet  the  wants  of 
seamen  visiting  our  islands,  Hilo,  Lahaina,  and  Honolulu  chapels 
were  opened.  Large  supplies  of  good  reading  matter  were  distri- 
buted, besides  several  thousands  of  Bibles.  During  those  years 
a larger  edition  of  the  Friend  was  printed  for  gratuitous  distribution. 
This  little  paper  has  cost  during  the  40  years  of  its  publication 
$28,128.83,  no  charge  ever  having  been  made  for  editorial 
labors.  In  passing  I would  remark  that  after  so  many  years  of 
labor  I hold  myself  prepared  to  account  for  all  monies  which  have 
been  entrusted  to  me  for  benevolent  objects  or  the  support  of  this 
chaplaincy.  In  consequence  of  repairs  and  enlagement  in  1847, 
I incurred  a debt  of  over  $3000,  nearly  two-thirds  of  which  I 
collected  by  visiting  about  100  whale  ships  and  soliciting  funds 
among  officers  and  seamen. 

And  this  recalls  those  years  when  my  labors  were  abundant, 
and  sometimes  beyond  my  strength,  for  in  1857  I experienced  a 
slight  paralysis  of  my  physical  system,  which  I received  as  a gentle 
intimation  as  to  what  would  surely  be  the  result  unless  I was  more 
considerate.  I think  my  neighbors  and  parishioners  will  bear 
me  witness  that  I have  not  since  that  time  been  altogether  an 
idle  man. 

I allude  to  these  statistical  facts  which  might  be  indefinitely 
expanded  for  the  purpose  of  indicating  something  of  what  has  been 
done  for  the  welfare  of  seamen  and  foreign  residents.  The  re- 
sults could  never  have  been  secured  without  the  active  co-opera- 
tion of  the  Christian  community  in  Honolulu  and  on  the  other 
islands.  Here  I desire  most  gratefully  to  acknowledge  the  gene- 
rous and  sympathetic  aid  which  has  been  forthcoming  from  the 
members  of  the  Bethel  and  Fort-street  churches. 

While  this  chapel  has  been  the  centre  around  which  efforts  in 
behalf  of  seamen  have  gathered  yet  other  objects  have  here  been 
always  advocated.  The  cause  of  foreign  missions  has  ever  been 
a prominent  object  here.  It  was  in  this  chapel  that  the  Mission 
Church  of  Micronesia  was  organized  with  appropriate  ceremonies 


and  addresses  on  the  nth  of  July,  1X52.  Then  was  sung  ‘ Wake 
Isle  of  the  South,  your  redemption  is  near,”  and  “Ye,  Christian 
heroes,  go,  proclaim.”  Inasmuch  as  Park  Street  church,  in 
Boston,  has  always  claimed  it  as  a peculiar  honor  and  as  among  its 
most  precious  memories  that  the  Mission  Church  to  Sandwich  Is- 
lands was  organised  within  its  walls,  in  1819,  so  we  claim  a similar 
honor  with  reference  to  the  Church  of  Micronesia.  A similar 
gathering  assembled  in  this  chapel  to  send  forth  missionaries  to 
the  Marquesas  Islands  in  1853,  when  Matanui,  a chief,  made  his 
appeal  to  the  Christians  on  these  islands.  Here  we  raised  aloft  the 
Banner  of  the  Cross,  and  passed  it  onward  to  the  far  West  and  the 
South  Seas. 

An  active  correspondence  has  been  kept  up  by  the  chaplain 
with  many  of  the  English  missionaries  throughout  all  the  islands 
of  the  South  Seas.  In  the  missionary  work  as  carried  forward  in 
Japan  and  China,  the  Bethel  hgs  been  in  cordial  sympathy.  I 
deem  it  among  the  peculiar  honors  of  this  church  that  during  the 
past  fourteen  years  an  evening  Chinese  school  has  been  kept  up 
on  these  premises,  wherein  over  400  Chinamen  have  been  taught 
the  rudiments  of  the  English  language,  and  some  of  these  men 
are  now  among  the  most  useful  and  active  members  ot  the  Chinese 
Church  of  this  city.  This  school  is  still  continued  and  now  has 
been  added  a school  for  Chinese  girls,  taught  by  Miss  Pierce. 

The  Bethel  Church  has  on  four  different  occasions  sent  forth  a 
small  colony  to  build  up  other  church  organizations.  This  oc- 
curred at  the  organization  of  Fort  Street  in  1852,  the  Methodist  in 
1857,  the  English  church  in  1862,  and  the  Chinese  church  in 
1879.  This  shows  that  we  are  in  cordial  sympathy  with  other 
churches  of  Christ  in  Honolulu  and  the  Church  at  large. 

It  is  with  peculiar  pleasure  that  I refer  to  the  department  of 
Christian  work  connected  with  our  Sabbath  school.  This  has  ever 
been  in  most  active  operation.  Several  hundreds  of  children 
have  been  here  under  instruction.  Our  excellent  librarian,  edu- 
cated in  our  school,  has  been  for  more  than  20  years  the  guardian 
of  our  most  excellent  collection  of  books.  Others  trained  here 
are  now  sending  their  children  to  our  school.  Our  church  has 
been  ever  receiving  recruits  from  the  Sabbath  school  which  has 
emphatically  proved  a nursery  of  the  church. 

Here  I may  with  propriety  speak  of  my  parochial  work  and  pas- 
toral duties.  I copy  the  following  statistics  from  the  church  re- 


>4 


cords.  During  the  period  of  my  ministry  I have  officiated  at  334 
marriages,  18 1 baptisms  of  infants,  277  have  united  with  the 
Bethel  church,  while  I have  been  called  upon  to  officiate  at  the 
burial  of  over  1200  of  my  fellow  beings.  I have  thus  been  per- 
mitted to  mingle  with  my  parishioners  in  scenes  of  joy  and  sadness. 
For  the  period  of  ten  years,  from  1842  to  1852,  I was  sole  pastor 
among  foreigners  inHonolulu,  both  residens  and  seamen.  Subse- 
quent to  that  date  the  successive  pastors  of  Fort-street,  the  clergy 
of  the  English  Churh,  and  the  other  churches  have  shared  with 
me  the  responsibilities  of  this  work.  Although  the  uncommonly 
large  number  of  seamen  visiting  Honolulu  has  absorbed  very  much 
of  both  my  time  and  labors,  yet  I trust  that  I have  not  altogether 
failed  in  labors  among  the  inhabitants  of  this  city.  In  reviewing 
the  receding  years  many  a bright  picture  may  be  recalled  to 
memory.  From  among  the  families  attending  upon  my  ministry 
have  come  forth  many  choice  and  noble  young  men  and  women 
(one  of  whom  is  the  writer  of  the  beautitul  hymn  we  have  just 
sung)  who  have  become  settled  in  families,  and  are  now  rearing 
Christian  households.  Such  results  are  among  the  richest  fruits 
of  ministerial  and  church  work.  How  often  I have  spoken  to  my 
people  upon  the  family  institution  and  its  importance.  It  has  not 
altogether  easy  at  times  to  adjust  the  two  elements,  viz.,  the  resi- 
dent and  sea-faring,  and  here  I desire  to  acknowledge  my 
indebtedness  to  my  resident  parishioners  for  their  kindness  and 
courtesy  in  enabling  me  in  former  years  to  do  anything  like  justice 
to  the  sea-faring  community.  Without  your  aid  how  deficient  we 
should  have  been  in  music  and  other  essential  elements  of  regular 
church  services.  As  all  are  not  acquainted  with  the  miscellaneous 
duties  constantly  devolving  upon  the  chaplain,  I may  refer  to  a 
large  number  of  strangers  not  to  be  reckoned  among  either  seamen 
or  residents,  who  have  and  do  still  make  constant  appeals  for  atten- 
tion. It  was  for  their  special  benefit  that  the  “Strangers’  Friend 
Society  ” was  organized  thirty  years  ago,  and  which  has  dispensed 
pecuniary  and  other  aid  to  so  many  visiting  Honolulu,  representing 
almost  every  nationality  on  our  globe.  Strangers,  friendless  and 
penniless,  cast  upon  our  shores,  may  not  have  received  all  the 
attention  they  desired,  but  they  have  not  been  forgotten  or  alto- 
gether neglected.  The  pastor  of  this  church  has  often  reminded 
his  hearers  of  Moses’  injunction,  “ Love  the  stranger,”  and  of  the 
precept  in  the  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews,  “ Be  not  forgetful  to  enter. 


'5 


tain  strangers.”  Although  occasionally  unworthy  beneficiaries 
have  imposed  themselves  upon  the  community,  yet  that  has  been 
no  valid  excuse  for  neglecting  the  really  meritorious. 

In  idancing  over  the  names  of  those  who  have  been  members 
of  this  church,  I notice  that  of  the  Rev.  James  A.  Daly,  now 
pastor  of  a large  and  prosperous  Congregational  church  in  Well- 
ington, Ohio;  another,  the  Rev.  J.  P.  Ludlow,  who  has  been  pastor 
of  a Baptist  church  in  San  Francisco  and  Washington  Territory: 
one  of  the  Gulicks  is  now  in  Japan  ; one,  a Findlander 
who  united  with  this  church  in  1848,  who  has  been  lor  many 
years  a minister  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  the  United 
States;  while  I know  not  how  many  seamen  and  strangers  who 
have  received  permanent  spiritual  health  from  influences  emanat- 
ing from  this  chaplaincy,  and  have  returned  to  England  and 
America  to  attach  themselves  to  Christian  churches.  Among  this 
number  I might  mention,  John  Burns,  whose  memoirs  have  been 
published  in  New  York,  where  his  labors  were  so  eminently  useful 
in  connection  with  the  Episcopal  Mission  of  that  city.  But  why 
do  I make  allusion  to  cases  of  this  nature  ? It  is  only  to  magnify 
the  power  of  the  gospel,  and  truthfulness  of  that  text  of  scripture 
found  in  the  55th  of  Isaiah,  which  more  than  any  other  passage  of 
God’s  word  has  been  full  of  inspiration  and  encouragement  to  me 
during  these  years  of  toil  and  labor,  “For  as  the  rain  cometh  down 
and  the  snow  from  heaven,  and  returneth  not  thither,  but  watereth 
the  earth  and  maketh  it  to  bring  forth  and  bud,  that  it  may  give 
seed  to  the  sower  and  bread  to  the  eater,  so  shall  my  word  be  that 
goeth  forth  out  of  my  mouth,  it  shall  not  return  unto  me  void,  but 
it  shall  accomplish  that  which  1 please  and  it  shall  prosper  in  the 
thing  whereto  I send  it.” 

Under  the  Old  Testament  despensation,  God  inspired  prophets 
to  reveal  His  word.  How  often  we  meet  with  the  expression, 
“Thus  saith  the  Lord.”  In  the  fullness  of  time  appeared  His 
Son,  who  declared,  that  “God  so  loved  the  world  that  whosoever 
believeth  in  Him  should  not  perish  but  have  everlasting  life.” 
Christ  was  the  annointed  Messenger  of  God,  to  reveal  His  Uuth. 
He  is  the- Logos — the  word  of  God.  Now  while  God  has  thus 
revealed  His  truth,  yet  he  has  committed  to  man  the  publishing 
abroad  and  the  preaching  of  His  word.  The  command  of  the 
Son  of  God,  on  His  returning  to  heaven  from  whence  he  came 
was,  “Go  ye  into  all  the  world  and  preach  the  gospel.”  This 


i6 


unfulfilled  labor  is  still  binding  upon  the  church.  Much  has  been 
said  respecting  the  great  mission  work  of  the  age,  including  the 
establishment  of  the  Mission  upon  these  islands  in  1820.  No 
sooner  had  those  pioneer  men  commenced  their  work  than  they 
discovered  that  there  was  another  work  equally  important  to  be 
carried  forward  here,  to  which  they  were  not  called.  This,  as  I 
have  already  shown,  was  undertaken  by  the  American  Seaman’s 
Friend  Society.  This  was  the  second  grand  step  in  the  building 
up  Christ’s  kingdom  in  this  part  of  the  world.  This  was  an  un- 
dertaking not  among  the  members  of  one  race  or  nationality,  but 
many,  even  as  many  as  were  represented  among  foreigners  resi- 
dent here,  or  seamen  visiting  these  shores.  You  will  readily  see 
that  the  work  thus  broadened  and  expanded,  becoming  world- 
wide in  its  affinities  and  sympathies.  Hence,  a bible  depository 
was  opened  from  whence  bibles  in  many  languages  could  be 
obtained.  Perhaps  more  bibles  in  the  Portuguese  language  than 
any  other  have  been  distributed. 

The  great  underlying  and  fundamental  principle  of  the  Lutheran 
Reformation  was  here  to  be  developed  on  a grand  scale.  An 
open  Bible  was  to  be  given  to  all.  My  commission  was  not 
alone  to  American  seamen,  but  to  the  seamen  of  all  nations,  visit- 
ing these  shores.  Here  is  a grand  illustration  of  the  doctrine 
that  as  God  hath  made  of  one  blood  all  nations,  so  to  all  the 
Gospel  is  to  be  preached.  With  this  idea  in  view,  has  this  chap- 
laincy been  carried  forward  during  the  last  half-century.  I can 
think  of  no  organization  better  fitted  for  this  good  work,  hence 
around  this  chapel  I have  aimed  to  group  several  distinct 
agencies,  pecuniarily  separate  so  far  as  regards  their  support,  but 
still  all  tending  to  the  one  main  object,  the  publication  and  ex- 
emplification of  the  Gospel.  First'has  been  the  preaching  upon 
the  Sabbath,  then  has  followed  the  weekly  prayer  meeting,  next 
the  Sabbath  School,  the  Sailors’  Home,  the  Bible  Depository,  the 
publication  of  the  Friend,  the  Strangers’  Friend  Society, 
and  visiting  among  seamen  in  port,  and  at  the  hospitals.  Words 
faintly  express  my  obligations  for  the  assistance  rendered  by  Mr. 
Dunscombe  during  the  last  eighteen  years.  All  these  various 
agencies  have  been  carried  forward,  and  through  their  combined 
influences,  God’s  truth  has  been  been  verified  that  His  Word 
should  not  return  unto  Him  void. 

Thus  the  Gospel  leaven  has  been  operating,  and  will  go  forward 


>7 


until  the  whole  world  shall  be  leavened.  This  is  the  grand  under- 
taking now  prosecuted  with  so  much  vigor,  by  so  many  Missionary 
societies,  in  Europe,  America,  and  other  parts  of  this  world. 
It  has  been  a great  privilege,  which  I have  enjoyed,  in  this 
central  station  of  the  broad  Pacific,  whose  waves  wash  the  shores 
of  the  surrounding  continents  and  encircle  so  many  islands  ot  this 
great  ocean.  Occasionally  I have  during  these  years,  visited 
other  lands,  in  1849  Oregon  and  California,  in  1861  the  islands 
of  Micronesia  ; in  1869-70  America,  Europe,  and  the  lands 
skirting  the  Mediterranean  Sea  ; but  wherever  I have  gone  I did 
not  cease  to  labor  in  the  cause  of  seamen  and  missions,  and  have 
come  back  more  deeply  impressed  with  the  idea  that  upon  the 
Christian  Church  of  this  generation  devolved  the  imperious  and 
pressing  duty  of  preaching  the  Gospel  among  all  nations,  and  that 
professing  Christians  were  unworthy  the  name,  who  did  not 
do  all  in  their  power  to  accomplish  this  grand  purpose  and  carry 
out  the  last  command  of  our  ascending  Redeemer. 

One  can  with  difficulty  realize  that  when  this  chaplaincy  was 
established  fifty  years  ago  all  California  was  under  Mexican  rule, 
and  even  after  I came  hither  San  Francisco  was  wont  to  derive  her 
news  from  the  outer  world,  via  Honolulu.  I do  not  forget  that  a 
Christian  lady,  now  residing  in  San  Francisco,  applied  to  me  in 
1845  or  6,  for  a few  hymn  books,  so  that  a circle  of  Christians 
might  engage  in  social  religious  worship,  two  years  before  any 
Protestant  clergyman  "had  gone  thither  to  officiate.  Neither  do  I 
forget  urging  the  Rev.  T.  D.  Hunt  to  go  thither,  in  order  to  be- 
come the  chaplain  to  the  citizens  of  San  Francisco,  in  the  autumn 
of  1848,  and  hence  he  became  pastor  of  the  first  Congregational 
church  of  that  city.  How  distinctly  I recall  my  intercourse  with 
the  naval  officers  of  those  early  times,  when  I was  invited  to 
preach  on  board  their  ships,  and  among  them  were  Stockton, 
Dupont,  Kearney,  Montgomery  and  others,  after  whom  some  of 
the  most  prominent  streets  of  that  great  city  were  named.  I re- 
call the  fact  that  when  the  little  Friend  made  its  first  appearance 
in  January^,  1843,  there  was  not  an  English  newspaper  printed  on 
the  western  coast  of  North  or  South  America,  from  Cape  Horn  to 
Bhering’s  Straits,  or  in  any  part  of  Polynesia,  while  China  and 
Japan  were  both  sealed  to  foreign  intercourse.  Many  years  sub- 
sequently Perry’s  expedition  sailed  to  open  the  latter  country, 


i8 


while  England,  countenanced  by  the  United  States,  was  beginning 
to  batter  down  the  walls  of  China,  and  now,  through  openings 
then  made,  China’s  millions  are  pressing  their  way  abroad  much 
to  the  annoyance  of  both  Englishmen  and  Americans.  Look 
southward  and  view  New  Zealand,  then  the  undisputed  home  of 
the  Maories,  but  now  that  of  a hundred  thousand  free 
and  intelligent  British  colonists.  Standing  here,  as 
chaplain  among  residents  and  seamen,  I have  seen  the  vast 
fleets  of  merchant  ships  and  immigrant  vessels,  as  they  touched 
here  on  their  passages  across  the  broad  Pacific,  first  conveying  the 
eager  seekers  after  gold  to  the  shores  of  Calfornia,  and  when  the 
gold  of  the  Australian  colonies  was  discovered  then  the  equallv 
anxious  multitude  with  “hearts  all  chilled  into  the  selfish  prayer 
for  gold,”  rushing  across  the  ocean  to  seek  for  the  precious  ore  in 
those  far  off  regions.  A few  individuals  and  families,  touching 
here  in  those  early  days,  have  remained  and  become  happily  inter- 
woven and  incorporated  in  our  island  community. 

If  such  vast  changes  have  been  wrought  in  the  past  few  years, 
what  may  not  be  repeated  during  the  coming  years,  under  the 
increased  momentum  of  the  active  forces  of  commerce,  civiliza- 
tion and  Christianity.  I am  quite  willing  to  leave  all  in  the  hands 
of  Him  who  has  said  “ The  earth  is  the  Lord’s  and  the  fulness 
thereof,”  “All  souls  are  mine,”  “The  abundance  of  the  sea  shall 
be  converted  unto  thee,”  and  I do  not  forget  that  I preach  in  the 
name  of  Him,  who  could  say,  “All  power  is  given  unto  me  in 
heaven  and  in  earth;  Go  ye  therefore  and  teach  all  nations,  bap- 
tizing them  in  the  name  ot  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son  and  of  the 
Holy  Ghost;  teaching  them  to  observe  all  things  whatsoever  I have 
commanded  you;  and  lo,  I am  with^you  alwav,  even  unto  the  end 
of  the  world,  Amen.” 

It  is  with  no  ordinary  feeling  of  solemnity  that  I am  now  ad- 
dressing you.  I realize  that  the  places  which  know  some  of  us 
now  will  soon  know  us  no  more.  Another  will  stand  in  this  pul- 
pit where  it  has  been  my  privilege  to  preach  the  gospel  over  forty 
years.  My  ministry  has  already  been  protracted  beyond  the  aver- 
age of  that  allowed  to  a majority  of  gospel  ministers.  In  a few 
weeks  I shall  have  enured  upon  my  seventieth  year.  Already  I 
have  outlived  full  two  generations  of  my  fellow-men,  while  I have 
officiated  to  more  than  one  generation.  The  doctrines  which  I 


'9 


have  preached  I hope  to  preach  until  the  close  of  my  ministry 
whenever  that  may  come.  I hold  myself  ready  to  retire  whenever 
the  society,  under  whose  auspices  I labor,  and  the  church  to  which 
1 minister,  shall  deem  it  best  for  the  interests  of  Christ’s  kingdom 
that  a younger  man  shall  become  my  successor.  1 sincerely  think 
the  time  has  come  for  steps  to  be  taken  looking  to  such  a result, 
and  I suggest  that  you,  as  members  of  my  church,  take  the  sub 
ject  into  thoughtful  consideration. 


A 


